To nyrnyr1994 and any other smoking DUers...

[catpower2000]

Today is my 16th day smoke-free.

I am using the patch, after no success with Zyban, the gum, and cold turkey. It is pretty amazing. I have cravings all the time, of course, but the patch gives me enough strength to not give in to them. Also, since you can't smoke while actually wearing the patch, it removes the momentary temptation to smoke. As long as I have the patch on, I am safe. It's like a security blanket.

Emotionally, I am extremely down, depressed, sad, whatever you want to call it. But I am doing it. It sucks. It really sucks. But I am doing it.

Three different people have told me that my skin looks amazing. (And I had pretty okay skin before.) The tiny lines I had around my mouth are ALREADY going away.

I can do a mile on the treadmill 4 minutes faster than I could 2 weeks ago. I can lift more weight in every single Nautilus exercise. I can run up the stairs without being short of breath. I have not gained weight (because I am working out.)

Food definitely tastes more flavorful. For someone like me, who loves to eat, this is a huge bonus.

My wonderful nonsmoking friends, who for years have uncomplainingly joined me in the smoking section, are unabashedly thrilled to sit in nonsmoking and not come away at the end of the evening smelling like an ashtray. They are also unabashedly proud of me.

I smell really good all the time. A little spritz of perfume lasts all day. My clothes don't need to be washed after one wearing.

Stressful moments at work really, really suck. I have had to learn to deal with stress without my friend the ciggies. That's definitely the hardest part.

I smoked a pack a day until 16 days ago. The Target-brand generic version of the patch is $30 for a two-week supply--it's cheaper than cigarettes.

If I can do it, you can do it. I swear. Just make the decision and do it. Just go right now and buy the patch and do it. Don't hesitate, don't make excuses. There will NEVER be a perfect time to do it, there is always stress and bullshit going on in everyone's life. Just do it now.

Cat

[prolesunited]

1. Great to hear this!

You're over the worst part and you definitely have quite a list of positive reasons to remain a nonsmoker.

Way to go! :party:

[DisgustipatedinCA]

2. Wow...you hit me right where I live

I was smoking a cigarette as I read your post.

During the course of reading your post, I was thinking, yes, but I just got laid off and am preparing to move cross-country and money is tight and I'm very stressed and so on.

Then I read your last two sentences. They left me without a leg to stand on.

So I'm not making any big proclamations about stopping smoking this very day or anything like that, but, I'm going to give it some serious thought. Again. I don't want to die because of my own stupidity, and I don't want that for my wife or kids either.

Thanks for giving me the reminder that I have something very serious to think about.

And congratulations on quitting.

[LynneSin]

12. About your wife & kids

My dad smoked since he was 13. He died when he was 41 that was over 20 years ago. Your wife and kids are some wonderful reasons to quit, not a day goes by that I don't think of my dad and wish he was here or to talk to him when life is getting me stressed like you won't believe. He made me believe that I could do anything I want to if I just apply myself, ironically that's the opposite mentality of my mother. I think he would be proud of me and the work I'm doing to make this country & world a better place for everyone.

:hug:

[Ellen Forradalom]

3. Cat, I love you, baby!

You are doing something tough but something you'll never regret!

It took a heart attack for my mother to kick a 45 year habit, but when she did, she never looked back. And neither should you.

[rasputin1952]

4. Ahem...CP2000...

I was reading your post, when suddenly you mentioned your skin looking better. How can I put this delicately?

Since I've seen your pic...I had no idea perfection could be improved upon.

:hug: Way to go...I'm still with the death squad, but perhaps I'll cease someday. With my luck though, MY skin would just fall off!

Congat's...keep it up.

[arwalden]

5. hi

:hi:

[Plaid Adder]

6. Go catpower! Quit now!

I just got a call from my partner who is with her family visiting her uncle in the hospital. The uncle was diagnosed with lung cancer a couple years ago. Chemo worked for him for about a year and then he started to get a lot sicker very fast. Now he's on a morphine drip with an oxygen mask and is probably not going to last till next weekend. She says she can't tell whether he's aware enough of what's going on to know when people are visiting and talking to him. It's very sad.

Her uncle is a great guy with a big heart and I will miss him. She will miss him much more, of course, as will his children and grandchildren. He is really too young to be dying, especially in a family where people routinely live into their late 90s.

He smoked, and his first wife was a smoker, so he got firsthand and secondhand smoke for many years. I think he quit a while back, but it apparently wasn't early enough.

Quit if you can, people. This is a very sad thing to watch someone go through.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[catpower2000]

21. I am sorry about your partner's uncle...

I am very grateful I won't have to endure the same death, or put my family through that.

Thanks for the encouragement and the warning.

Cat

[marzipanni]

7. Your lungs look

pretty in pink!
Now that you are getting your baby lungs back, try breathing like a baby. Deep, slow breathing- letting your belly stick out and your diaphragm expand- is very relaxing. I heard someone talking about it on the radio and now I remember to breathe this way when I'm stressing about something but need to fall asleep.
Your success makes me feel good, too!

[madmax]

8. Proud of you Cat wish I could

I smoke more now than ever - 2 packs. I think I want to quit but, I have a few major stressors in my life right now and cigs keep me from going crazy.

Anyway, Congratulations to you Cat. Keep up the good work and I'll be cheering you from this side of my smoke filled room. :(

[LynneSin]

9. We love you CatPower!!! Keep up the great work

:hug:

[WilliamPitt]

10. Excellent

This is good news, especially since it has demonstrably been proven that I cannot cure cancer.

[catpower2000]

11. I am sorry...

a bit touchy at the moment, in case you didn't notice. :eyes:

Forgive me?

Cat

[WilliamPitt]

13. But of course, ma'am.

:loveya:

I am seriously psyched for you. This gives me hope. Well done.

[buddhamama]

14. you're so right,Cat

there's always going to be something, an excuse not to, so you just have to do it.

i will, someday, soon.

i want that better skin you talk about to. that is one positive aspect of quitting that i hadn't considered.

have you thought about using one of those stress balls to help you through those 'moments'? they've worked for friends.
plus, they're great for building muscles in your wrists and arms, just a thought.

so happy for you, and proud Cat.

sending loving and non-poo thoughts your way!

[jono]

15. Thank you, Cat

Your posts and all the other non-smoking related chatter around here lately have inspired me to give quitting another try. The patches don't work well for me, but I'm going to pull out my stop smoking materials and formulate my game plan. Congratulations!!!

:toast:




(edited for grammar)

[RetroLounge]

16. Way to go CP2000!

Having quit in the past, I know how hard it is.

I quit Alcohol and Drugs many years ago, and I swear to Howard that tobacco is harder to quit than they were.

My wife and are quit last year for almost 6 months and we are about ready to give it another try, although this time independent of each other.

Thanks for the encouragement...

[catpower2000]

17. SOME THINGS THAT HAVE HELPED ME...TIPS FOR QUITTERS

This is for all you smokers on this thread who have expressed your desire to quit. Maybe some of these things will help you when you do quit.

1. Working out. This is the biggest one. Because I was terrified of gaining weight from quitting, I started working out on the same day that I quit. Well, not only have I not gained weight, but working out has been the single most important thing that has kept me quit. It feels AMAZING. I don't have a craving for at LEAST an hour after I'm done. Working out in the beginning made me cough up some stuff that I won't even describe to you, it's so disgusting, but believe me, I'm glad it's not in my lungs anymore. Working out makes me never want to smoke again, because I can demonstrably see that I am getting better. My lung capacity is greater, my muscles have greater regenerative powers, my BODY WORKS. It's truly like a machine that is in great condition and works really well. I can't tell you how empowering that feels.

2. Oranges. :shrug: Can't explain it, but I'm eating 15 or more oranges a week right now, and they really, really help. They taste so clean and healthy, it makes my cravings go away.

3. Something to play with. I have an ID bracelet, that I wear every day, that has a somewhat complicated clasp. I constantly take it off now, and play with it, and do and undo the clasp. Again, weird, but it helps. I know someone who said he bent and unbent paper clips for 3 months. He always had a pocket full of paperclips. Whatever works.

4. Vitamins. I'm taking high doses of calcium to keep off the weight and help my bones regenerate, and high doses of Vitamin C to help clean my cells and give my immune system a boost. The vitamins are probably also helping my skin improve.

5. Water. I am drinking a gallon of water a day. I drink so much water my pee is completely clear and odorless (TMI, but it's a good indicator you're getting enough water.) When I have an intense craving at work, I drink a full glass of water all at once.

6. Keeping my mouth clean. Get the taste of food out of your mouth AS SOON as you're finished eating. I bought a travel toothbrush and toothpaste, which I keep in my purse for when I'm out of the house. I go into the restroom at restaurants and brush my teeth. In lieu of that, I always have gum and mints on hand.

I'll post more if I think of any more. Hope they help.

Cat

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

18. I am so proud of you, Cat!

I came back for the sole purpose of telling you that when I saw your thread, and am glad to see you're doing so well. Don't give up, you've come so far and are doing great :)

Maggie

[catpower2000]

24. Thanks, Maggie. :)

I feel very special.

Cat

[BiggJawn]

19. You GO, Girl!

Wow, you're doing better than me!
I haven't had one in 6 months, but until I started this bicycle nonsense a coupla months back, I still got winded climbing stairs...

According to my sawbones, I've gained 6 pounds since I quit, and that's all. I told him there's a pretty good reason for that, my thighs are an inch bigger since the last time I was in, and it ain't FAT!

I can smell a pig farm at 12 miles.
Right now, I'm wishing my neighbour would stop chain smoking and get a different room air freshener because that's a pretty cloying scent she has coming in my window...

I'm proud of ya!

[Skittles]

20. OUTSTANDING CATPOWER

now do this - if you really feel like smoking a cig post on the DU a thread titled TELL ME WHY I SHOULDN'T SMOKE A CIGARETTE and you will get plenty of support.

I only wore the patch less than a couple weeks and kicked a 30 year habit.

[Breezy du Nord]

22. Good luck!

I hope you make it!

Cheers! :toast:

[nyrnyr1994]

23. Good job!

This all reminds me of a commerical I saw on TV for something called quitnet.org. These people that were on the message board there would follow around the guy trying to quit to make sure he stayed smoke-free (restaurants, other places, even the shower!) I remember them saying something about drinking plenty of water.

Anyways, I hope you continue to have success, and that mine starts.

:smoke::argh: